The skin is the largest organ in the human body, and it works as a protective barrier that covers the entire body. As a result, it is also the most visible and exposed part of our body at all times. The skin is not just an organ that protects us from external elements, but it also regulates our body’s temperature and produces natural oils to help keep our skin moisturised and healthy.
Spots are a common skin concern for all genders and ages, especially among people with oily skin. There are many different causes of spots, and today we’re going to look at the top three causes of spots, and some tips on how you can help prevent any new spots from forming.
Acne is a skin disease caused by the oil glands under the skin becoming clogged. The oil that they produce mixes with dead skin cells and bacteria, which leads to inflammation and redness. Pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, papules and cysts are all different types of acne. Depending on where you live, they have different names too, with the UK calling them spots, whereas the US tend to call them zits.
What Is Acne?
Acne is the most common skin condition, affecting approximately 80% of all adolescents and 50% of adults. It’s a disorder which affects the hair follicles and sebaceous glands. Our sebaceous glands produce an oily substance called sebum, which lubricates the skin and hair. When these glands become blocked, they can cause a spot to form.
There are many causes for acne including: hormones, genetics, bacteria on the skin, cosmetics or other topical products applied to the skin, diet and stress. Acne can be categorised into four types: blackheads (open comedones), whiteheads (closed comedones), papules (bumps) and pustules (popcorn-like lesions).
The Symptoms Of Acne
Common symptoms of acne include: blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, papules (red bumps), pustules (pus-filled bumps), and cysts (large painful lumps). The severity of acne varies from person to person. The main symptoms of acne are pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, oily skin, redness and bumps.
What Are The Top Three Causes Of Spots?
There are said to be five common causes of spots. These include hormones, bacteria, certain medications, inflammation and stress. However, the top three causes of spots are hormones, bacteria and excess sebum production.
Why Do Hormones Cause Breakouts?
Spots are not just caused by excess dirt and oil. Hormones also play a role in causing outbreaks, with the level of hormones, in particular estrogen, causing an increase in the production of sebum. This excessive sebum can then lead to the clogging of pores, leading to the formation of blemishes.
Why Does Bacteria Cause Breakouts?
The skin has many different components, including hair follicles, oil glands, and also sweat glands. The skin also contains natural bacteria, which can lead to the formation of spots. A build up of dead skin cells can block hair follicles and cause pimples to form, as well as oil from sebaceous glands, creating clogged pores when mixed with dead skin cells.
Why Does Excessive Sebum Cause Breakouts?
Your skin produces sebum, an oily substance, to keep it moisturized and soft. When the sebum glands produce too much sebum, it can lead to clogged pores and breakouts. This is especially a problem for people with sensitive or acne-prone skin, which is where skincare products controlling excessive sebum can be beneficial.
When dealing with acne, spots and breakouts, the issue isn’t just the active breakout, but also the lengthy period it takes for acne scarring to heal and fade, with many factors effecting the time period it takes for a spot to completely heal and fade away. It’s important to have a good skincare routine, to keep the skin in the best condition possible, which will also help with the healing stages once the blemish is starting to fade.